Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 37

Qin Mo’s smile reached his eyes.

“To make Lu Deren even more speechless, we’ll slightly modify our plan. Now, let Feng Chunshan take the people we just captured and escort them to the county magistrate.”

Song Qingzhan laughed out loud, “You are really wicked.”

First, Lu Tang falsely accused Lu Deren of being a mountain bandit. Then, Feng Chunshan would escort Chang Yuan and the others, who were disguised as mountain bandits, to the county office. “Shouldn’t we also find some items from the Gu family on the bandits?”

Qin Mo smiled, “Of course, preferably something belonging to Gu Changming.”

Song Qingzhan was puzzled, “Why specifically him?”

“Gu Changming was thrown into Spring Fragrance House Courtyard in the county, and soon after, Lu Yuchen was thrown into Spring Fragrance House Alley in Sihe Town. What a coincidence, don’t you think?”

Song Qingzhan immediately understood Qin Mo’s malicious plan. “You are truly despicable!”

After speaking, Song Qingzhan laughed, turned, and left to carry out Qin Mo’s orders.

The news of Lu Deren’s misdeeds caused an uproar in Qingshui County. Everyone was talking about Lu Deren’s numerous crimes.

For ordinary people, it was just a spectacle. But for those working at various inns owned by the Qiao family, especially those who had colluded with Lu Deren, it was like being ants on a hot pan.

They all knew of Lu Deren’s ambition to seize the Qiao family’s business. Without much hesitation, they chose to follow Lu Deren.

Now that Lu Deren was in trouble, what should they do? Had all their efforts over the years been in vain? What if Lu Deren confessed in prison? How would the Qiao family deal with them after finding out?

The manager of the Qiao family’s inn in Sihe Town was particularly close to Lu Deren. Just look at his fate! Fearful whispers of cursing Lu Deren spread everywhere.

As a result, in the prison, Lu Deren was tied to a post, being whipped with a chili water-soaked whip. Amidst his screams, he sneezed several times.

This scene made the jailer feel humiliated, causing him to whip even harder.

Magistrate Zhao sat with a stern face behind the interrogation room’s desk. Seeing that the beating was almost enough, he raised his hand. The jailer, panting, threw the whip aside, while the cold gaze of Magistrate Zhao fell on Lu Deren. “Where are the items from Zhao Village?”

Lu Deren, almost beaten to death, hung his head and weakly said, “I, I truly am not a bandit, sir, I, I am innocent.”

Magistrate Zhao sneered, “You are quite stubborn! Which Lord Wang are you backing? Lord Wang from the Imperial Censorate? Lord Wang from the Ministry of War? Or Lord Wang by the Crown Prince’s side?”

Where is your brain?

If I knew such powerful people, would I be begging Gu Yunhe for a clerical position?

“Sir, I truly don’t know anyone like that. I was framed by Lu Tang. If I knew such high-ranking officials, would I need to use such methods against the Qiao family? And if I were a bandit, why would I kidnap Lu Tang? The one I most wish to see married to Gu Changming is Lu Shuqing. What benefit would I gain from all this? This is completely contradictory and makes no sense!”

Enduring the stinging pain all over his body, Lu Deren struggled to defend himself.

“Lu Tang knows how seriously you take the bandit issue, so he dared to frame me this way. Sir, don’t be fooled by him. If you release me, I assure you that in the future, three-quarters of the Qiao family’s wealth will be yours.”

In fact, when Magistrate Zhao had Lu Deren arrested, he didn’t fully believe Lu Tang’s words.

But in such matters, it was better to be wrong than to let someone go unpunished.

Just as he was about to ask more questions, hurried footsteps approached. The interrogation room door burst open, and his trusted aide entered with urgency, ” Sir, officials from the Ministry of Justice are here.”

Magistrate Zhao’s eyes widened in shock, “Who?”

His aide looked serious, “Minister Feng.”

What is he doing here?

Magistrate Zhao ordered the interrogation to continue and hurriedly left.

In the courtyard of the county office, Feng Chunshan stood with his hands behind his back, his face stern. Upon seeing him, Magistrate Zhao quickly adjusted his clothes and approached with a smile, “Greetings, Minister!”

Feng Chunshan turned, looking down at Magistrate Zhao, and threw his token at him.

Magistrate Zhao, though verbally humble, truthfully caught the token and examined it thoroughly.

Indeed, it was the token of the Minister of Justice.

Becoming even more deferential, Magistrate Zhao returned the token with both hands, obsequiously saying, “I didn’t know Minister Feng was visiting Qingshui County on official business or personal matters. I just want to offer my humble assistance.”

Feng Chunshan snorted coldly, put away his token, and kicked a large sack beside him. “How could there be bandits in your jurisdiction?”

The word “bandit” pricked Magistrate Zhao’s nerves like a needle, almost making him kneel.

Feng Chunshan’s men untied the sack, revealing a man inside.

Chang Yuan was tied up and gagged, unconscious.

Beside Chang Yuan’s sack, there were a dozen more sacks, likely filled with people.

“Minister Feng, this is…” Magistrate Zhao looked puzzled.

Feng Chunshan got straight to the point, “While passing through Sihe Town, this gang of bandits tried to rob me. Such audacity!”

Hearing this, Magistrate Zhao felt a bit relieved and immediately knelt, “Forgive me, Minister. It was my dereliction of duty.”

Feng Chunshan shouted angrily, “In broad daylight, bandits are rampant. It seems you are tired of being a county magistrate. I don’t have time to waste on you. Clear out all the bandits within ten days, or when I return, I will report this matter. Take care of yourself!”

Leaving his men behind, Feng Chunshan turned to leave.

Magistrate Zhao, drenched in cold sweat, hurriedly chased after him, “Minister, please wait. It’s indeed my fault for the bandits. Rest assured, Minister, I will thoroughly investigate.”

Feng Chunshan, looking stern and unyielding, paused and glared at Magistrate Zhao, “Are you trying to bribe me?”

Magistrate Zhao had heard of Minister Feng’s rigid nature from his military background. Seeing his expression, the words of bribery stuck in his throat.

“Minister, you’ve misunderstood. I just want to say, please calm down. I will definitely clear out the bandits and submit a confession.”

Feng Chunshan glanced at him coldly, said nothing, and left.

After a few steps, something fell from Feng Chunshan’s body. His attendant quickly picked it up.

“Minister, this fell from the bandits.”

Feng Chunshan took the jade pendant without looking and threw it to Magistrate Zhao. “Did you hear that!”

Magistrate Zhao scrambled to catch the jade pendant. “Yes, I heard it. This was on the bandits. I will definitely…”

Before he could finish, Feng Chunshan and his men had already left.

In just a short time, if it weren’t for the dozen sacks at his feet and the jade pendant in his hand, Magistrate Zhao would have thought he was dreaming.

A Minister of Justice in Qingshui County.

What is the Ministry of Justice doing here? What are they investigating?